Capitol Ditch Trail
Trailheads Capitol Creek TH #1961 Drive there · Capitol Ditch Trailhead #1963 Drive there
Capitol Ditch Trailhead #1963 the Forest Service's write-up
ALERT: Bear canisters are required for all backpackers in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.
The Capitol Ditch Trail trail begins moderately along the ditch for one mile. It continues through aspen and fir stands for another mile and then opens up. The trail descends down to the Capitol Creek. You will cross here and meet up with the Capitol Creek Trail. There are good spots for camping at this point. At the 6 mile point the trail switchbacks to a double log crossing. In another 1/2 mile, the trail crosses the stream again. In the fir stands on the right, 1/3 mile from this crossing, are the last campfire sites. Stove sites can be found on the knolls to the right about 50 yards before the Mt. Daly Trail. Camping is not allowed in the meadows or within 200 feet of Capitol Lake. Continue on the trail to Capitol Lake. To reach the pass and Avalanche Creek Trail, follow the trail along the west side of the lake.
Restrictions <h4>The following regulations apply to the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness and are in place to protect this special area:</h4><ul><li><strong>Overnight permit required </strong>for overnight stays within the <a href="http://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fs.usda.gov%2FInternet%2FFSE_DOCUMENTS%2Ffseprd1083862.pdf&data=05%7C01%7C%7C7d1c148b617d420ee8cb08daf91dc92c%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638096203576998810%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=kwU8ie72JuD4SazHVfhqzSL%2BLxv%2BIq72MQzrDaEEk%2Fs%3D&reserved=0">Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zones</a>.</li><li><strong>Food, refuse and any scented items must be stored in an </strong><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1029220.pdf">IGBC approved bear resistant container</a><strong>. </strong>Human food habituated bears are a threat to human safety. Visitors without approved bear resistant containers will be ticketed and required to leave. </li><li><strong>You must have a plan for human waste. Human waste bags (WAG) bags are highly recommended</strong> and are available free of charge at the Conundrum Creek and Snowmass Lake trailheads. WAG bags must be packed out. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpiX07wPKgE&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Learn more</a> about how to use a WAG bag. If a WAG bag is not used, visitors are required to deposit solid human waste in holes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet (70 paces) from water, camp and trails.</li><li><strong>Group size is limited to 10 with no more than 15 stock animals in one group</strong>. Large groups multiply impacts to the wilderness and disrupt the solitude of others.</li><li><strong>Dogs are prohibited</strong> in the Conundrum Creek Valley from Silver Dollar Pond to Triangle Pass, including the hot springs. Everywhere else,<strong> dogs must be leashed.</strong></li><li><strong>Campfires are prohibited at all designated sites at Conundrum Hot Springs, within ¼ mile of Crater Lake and above 10,800 feet. </strong>Campfires consume wood, accumulate trash, kill fragile alpine vegetation, sterilize the soil and scar the land.</li><li><strong>Campers must camp in designated sites at Conundrum Hot Springs, Copper Lake, Crater Lake, Geneva Lake, and Capitol Lake.</strong> Everywhere else campers should set up more than 100 feet from lakes, streams and trails and use previously impacted campsites. Help provide a feeling of solitude, camp out of sight of others and fragile areas.</li><li><strong>As with all designated Wilderness, motorized and mechanized equipment is prohibited including bicycles, motorbikes, chainsaws, ATVs, carts, drones, hang gliders and paragliders. </strong>This equipment is prohibited to provide visitors with a primitive recreational experience and to preserve outstanding opportunities for solitude.</li></ul>